Confession

Preliminary Thoughts

Confession seems to hold a variety of roles in the New Testament Scriptures. It is used as a prerequisite to baptism in Acts 8:37. Then, it is spoken of as an ongoing declaration of our faithfulness to Christ, that is demonstrated by our words and actions. Then, it appears to be linked with our admission of sins and transgressions to God. Finally, it is set forth as an action of Christ on our behalf. Let's consider each and see what we can learn.

Some Would Not Confess Christ

According to John 12:42, it is possible for someone to "believe" in Christ and yet fail to "confess Him". Here is what the text reveals: "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;" (NKJ) These rulers were more concerned about their status in the synagogue than they were about service to Christ. As a result, even though they believed, they would not confess.

Confession In God's Plan Of Salvation

The apostle Paul, addressed the matter of confession in Romans by declaring: "..that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9,10) (NKJ). The apostle is not excluding any other action on man's part in order to be saved, for he has already talked about their response in baptism in Romans 6:3,4; and their change of state in Romans 6:16-18. Unlike the rulers (of the previous paragraph) who believed but would not confess, Paul asserts that one who believes with the heart, will confess with the mouth. Later, when writing to Timothy he encouraged him with these words: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (I Timothy 6:12) (NKJ) Just prior to his baptism, the Ethiopian Eunuch asked, "See, here is water, What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37). Upon that confession of faith in Christ, the Eunuch was baptized (Acts 8:38-39).

What Are We Confessing?

In its simplest form, we are confessing our confidence in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. What does that entail? It includes a confidence that He is the very One (Son) of God (Matthew 16:16; I John 4:15) and that He was here on earth in a body of flesh (I John 4:2-3; 2 John 1:7). It expresses a confidence in Him, in what He said, and in what He did, and in who He is.

Confession Is A Daily Living For Christ

One does not go home to heaven immediately upon their obedience to Christ. There is before us the challenge of living day after day for Christ. To this end, the Hebrew writer encouraged with these words: "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." (Hebrews 4:14) (NKJ) Later in the same epistle we find him declare: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) (NKJ)

Our Confession Will Bring About Christ's Confession On Our Behalf

It is in Matthew 10:32, that we find these words from Christ, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven".(NKJ) In Luke 12:8, we find that Jesus is more specific about the confession by letting us know that it will be made before the angels of God (Luke 12:8). Finally, on this point, it is in Revelation 3:5 that we read this wonderful promise, "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (NKJ)

One Day All Will Confess

One old time preacher (long since gone from this realm of time) used to say, "There will be no atheists or agnostics in the day of judgment. In that day all will know without doubt or misgiving that Jesus is the Christ and that God is alive and real. But, he would go on to say, It will be too late for them to do anything about it." The concept was not just something he had dreamed up, it was based on a foundation of Scriptural fact. In Romans 14:11, we read: "For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (NKJ) The very next verse in that context speaks of the judgment day in which everyone "will give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

Are You Prepared To Confess Your Faith In Christ?

Paul, in the epistle to the church at Philippi, declared that Christ has such a preeminent position "that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". (Philippians 2:11) (NKJ) If you have never become a child of God, let me ask "do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" Are you willing to confess your faith in Christ as God's son (John 8:24)? Are you ready to repent of your sins (Luke 24:47)? Are you prepared to be buried with Christ in baptism for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38)? Are you committed to living faithfully before Him all your days (see above)? If so, let us know and we will help you obey Christ.

Confession Of Sins As A Christian

After pointing out that God is light and in Him dwells no darkness, the writer John addresses the matter of the Christian and sin. We already know from the recorded episode in the life of Simon (formerly the sorcerer; of Acts 8:19-24) that he was told to repent and pray God for forgiveness. John, the apostle, adds to that understanding by stating: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:8-9). What remedy is in order for the Christian who sins? He is told by these references to "repent" and "pray to God" for forgiveness. That prayer to God will include a confession of our sins or transgressions.

Concluding Remarks

No one has to remain in sin. Confession unto salvation is available for those outside of Christ who are willing to comply with God's terms of salvation (as spelled out earlier). If one is already a Christian, they too can find an escape from sin by repenting and confessing their sins to God, seeking His forgiveness. Why would we choose not to make the good confession? Only we ourselves know the reason. There is one thing we can know for certain, and that is the fact that one day every one will confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Will you be ready for that day?